Great days raptor watching

[barontan2418]

I have a passion for our magnificent raptors and enjoy roaming our wilder places looking for them and today was a seven raptor day, I think my best tally was eight in a day so I'm well coughed. It started out on the North Pennines where I monitor Hen Harriers for Natural England. March being the start of my season I spent several (cold and windy) hours on a the highest point available on the moor, it paid off when a beautiful female Hen Harrier decided to hunt the moor just below me. Short and sweet but very rewarding, here's hoping a male turns up shortly.On the way down from the moors I was treated to a displaying female Sparrowhawk showing off her white undertail coverts and looking truly amazing . A Perigrine was calling from her high rockface vantage point (the keepers never allow them to reach the nesting stage) but she should be safe for this month at least.
I decided to stop off at a locally known Goshawk haunt and was rewarded by an adult male perched high in a Larch, unfortunately he decided (I think) it was too windy for flight and took in the available sun instead. Above him 3 Buzzards were displaying, diving, turning talons dropped and generaly enjoying themselves. Over the moor a Kestrel tried to master the windy conditions and made a very good job of it until the local covids decided he was an easy target. I made a detour on the way home just to make up the seventh, Red Kite, infact three Red Kites. All in all a great day which more than makes up for all the hours spent waiting and no raptors are seen.

[ChrisJB]

Sounds a magic day. I love the North Pennines for their quietness, wild moors (especially Cross Fell), the botany of Upper Teesdale and the talismanic Black Grouse. I've recently heard that the odd Corncrake now dwells there in season.
I really enjoyed your post. Keep us informed of any other good days in 'England's last wilderness'

Regards, Chris

[aeshna5]

7 spp of raptor a day in England is good going. I think Isle of Sheppey is only place I've managed that.

[John]

I must admit to being a raptor enthusiast too and seven in a day is some going. I have been lucky enough to do this a few times myself and its usually in Norfolk although I did hit ten in a day in Scotland once.

Magical days when that happens and this is one of the reasons I love going abroad because you can get many more species in a day than you can in Britain.

John

[demicav]

Originally Posted by barontan2418

I have a passion for our magnificent raptors and enjoy roaming our wilder places looking for them and today was a seven raptor day, I think my best tally was eight in a day so I'm well coughed. It started out on the North Pennines where I monitor Hen Harriers for Natural England. March being the start of my season I spent several (cold and windy) hours on a the highest point available on the moor, it paid off when a beautiful female Hen Harrier decided to hunt the moor just below me. Short and sweet but very rewarding, here's hoping a male turns up shortly.On the way down from the moors I was treated to a displaying female Sparrowhawk showing off her white undertail coverts and looking truly amazing . A Perigrine was calling from her high rockface vantage point (the keepers never allow them to reach the nesting stage) but she should be safe for this month at least.
I decided to stop off at a locally known Goshawk haunt and was rewarded by an adult male perched high in a Larch, unfortunately he decided (I think) it was too windy for flight and took in the available sun instead. Above him 3 Buzzards were displaying, diving, turning talons dropped and generaly enjoying themselves. Over the moor a Kestrel tried to master the windy conditions and made a very good job of it until the local covids decided he was an easy target. I made a detour on the way home just to make up the seventh, Red Kite, infact three Red Kites. All in all a great day which more than makes up for all the hours spent waiting and no raptors are seen.

Sounds fantastic. I'm a huge Raptor fan myself so it would have been heaven to me.